New Year, New Changes

2026 brings a fresh wave of opportunities for growth

There was a time when New Year’s Eve was not one of my favorite holidays.

It’s fun to gather with friends, don sparkles, and pop a bottle of bubbly, but what if I liked the old year and all its memories, challenges, and transitions? And what about New Year’s resolutions? So much pressure! To choose a resolution feels like choosing a new identity.

Often, we force ourselves into changing too abruptly, or we run out of time and choose a goal we weren’t prepared to stick with.

One time, I made a New Year’s resolution that changed my tune. It was small on the surface but something I’d been mulling over: I wanted to stop buying products tested on animals. From lip gloss to laundry pods, when January came, I checked every label and researched every brand. I told everyone I knew that animal testing is not just putting blush on a bunny. Almost 10 cruelty-free years later, I’ve learned that progress can only happen when we’re ready—when we resolve to fight for something we believe in, no matter the calendar date.

Here in our issue celebrating progress of all types, I am excited not only to share with you some cruelty-free beauty inspiration on page 46 but also a bundle of other ways that we Tallahasseeans can make changes for the better.

We’ll also meet neighbors who inspire our personal growth for the year ahead. Did you know the city of Tallahassee has made strides on a major sustainability resolution?

On page 25, Paige Bowers reports on what’s been done so far and what the road ahead will look like as the city aims to achieve 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2050. You’ll be equally impressed by Susan Turner, who, at 80 years old, has taken the wheel again at Food Glorious Food. Get a taste of her journey alongside chef Katie Spetman, former executive chef at the Florida Governor’s Mansion, on page 57.

If you’re feeling like 2026 is the year to contribute to a new cause, Kelley Marcellus has come prepared with a roundup of 26 local organizations—selected from Tallahassee’s venerable list of 721 nonprofi ts—worthy of your time and talents. Which one will call your name? Find out on page 74.

Cheers to growing together,

OLIVIA SOKOLOWSKI, EDITOR

osokolowski@tallahasseemagazine.com

Photo by Alicia Osborne